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Local business owner says sign-sponsorship process left many downtown merchants out
Summary
A Hebron business owner criticized how sponsorship spots were allocated on new village signage, saying selections were coordinated through a private app and not broadly advertised; the mayor offered a one-on-one follow-up and promised to explore clearer outreach options.
A downtown Hebron business owner identified himself as Dennis during the council’s visitor comments period and told the Village Council he and other merchants were excluded from a recent opportunity to pay for logo space on new village signage.
"This was a hush-hush," Dennis said. "If you're in the group in the coffee meeting, you're in...they'll put your sign on that. That is not right at all." He said the selection was coordinated through a private GroupMe/app and that many business owners who do not attend those meetings were not contacted by phone, email or the village Facebook page. He suggested a public drawing or broader social-media notice so the limited sponsorship spots are allocated fairly.
Mayor (speaker 6) acknowledged the complaint and described staffing limits as a factor in outreach. "We don't have the staff to go and engage every business every time there's an opportunity," he said, and he offered to meet with the speaker one-on-one after the meeting to discuss remedies. The mayor also suggested exploring alternatives such as a dedicated business communications channel or having economic development committee oversight for future sign programs.
Council members and staff discussed whether the Community Improvement Corporation (CIC) or village staff handled selections; the mayor clarified the CIC is a separate entity but later corrected that the selection had been made in-house. Fiscal/administrative staff noted the CIC and JED processes are still being worked out and that clearer notification methods (a separate business Facebook page, email newsletter, or signage lottery) could help prevent future complaints.
The council did not take formal action on the sign-selection process during the meeting but indicated staff will follow up and that the mayor would meet with the speaker to discuss specific ways to improve outreach.
